Workplace Futures 2026 will look to the future – what are the practices, the people, the organizations, the innovations that are going to transform facilities management, re-invigorate the sector and make it more attractive to the next generation as well as encouraging those with established careers to move across and join the industry? How can the industry define and reinforce messaging to exemplify the best of what FM can do and the value that good FM brings to every organization? How can facility managers improve the storytelling around deliverables: the customer experiences, the support for wellbeing, the improved efficiencies, the enhanced productivities that flow when the facilities strategy is in harmony with a client’s business strategy and practices?
Facilities management has been on a journey for 40+ years. Workplace Futures 2026 will take a look at where it comes from, where it’s currently positioned and – most importantly – where it needs to ultimately arrive, exploring all the factors that need to put in place to ensure that it gets there successfully.
This conference comes at a time of even more change, and thus even more uncertainty, than usual for FM: numerous ‘chronic’ issues are pressing, technology is developing at an increasingly rapid pace, and traditional business models (including financial models) are being questioned.
This is a period of challenge that spans numerous big issues, encompassing:
- Is the future human-centric or technology-led? What is the role of artificial intelligence, and how far will AI go in shaping FM?
- As the current generation of leaders exit the business, where are the generations of tomorrow? Are we investing enough in mentoring, training and qualifications?
- Is the workplace working? Are our buildings and the workplaces within them providing what workers need?
- Sustainability, EDI, ESG – how effective are we really at setting goals, defining action plans and measuring progress?
- Data – is efficient gathering, management and analysis the key to the future? Are we getting our strategies right?
- Margins, profitability and external investment – in a big, diverse and highly competitive market, questions will be asked about financial sustainability: is the traditional FM business model sustainable for all?
Workplace Futures is an annual hybrid conference for the facilities management, workplace and property sectors. First launched in 2007, each year’s event has a different theme focusing on current and emerging issues. The event provides valuable insights on this theme and offers educational sessions, time for discussion and networking.
